This holiday season, OTM makes your shopping easy with our Local Holiday Gift Guide. There’s no need to search far and wide for gifts for your fellow outdoorsy folk and other loved ones who appreciate unique, locally-procured gifts. There are so many good reasons to shop locally for the holidays. We’ve compiled a wide range […]
Inland NW Local Holiday Gift Guide: Winter Sports Read More »
Ski boots planted firmly into the side of a snowy cliff, I test the rope by slowly easing my weight back into the harness, a completely foreign feeling to me especially in full ski gear with my skis strapped to my pack. My fear of heights makes it difficult to focus. Trusting that my partner
Skiing Like a Lady at Alpine Finishing School Read More »
If you’ve ever dreamed of taking on one of North America’s long-distance hiking trails, one of the best things you can do to prepare is learn from others who have walked before you. These four Inland Northwest-based hikers offer a glimpse of life out on the trail that may inspire you to hit the trail
Four Local Long-Distance Hikers and Their Unique Experiences on National Scenic Trails Read More »
A kid-friendly way to experience wilderness is by visiting a national park. Harley and Abby McAllister of Spokane Valley travel extensively to national parks with their four sons, ages four through 15. Last year, they compiled their research and experiences to publish two guidebooks, “Yellowstone National Park with Kids” and the other about Utah’s five
Trip-Planning Strategies for the National Parks Read More »
I fell hard when I met Kalispell and the Flathead Valley for the first time, as the theme here is “astounding mountain views in everything you do.” The greater Flathead Valley region is Northwest Montana’s shining star with world-class mountain bike trails, multi-use trails with growth plans, Glacier National Park, historic downtowns, and historic paved
In early June 1993, Karl Mueggler slipped out of an eddy and committed himself to the main surge. He edged his kayak into the trough of a beastly wave, and then his boat sliced river-left to river-center. Navigating in this way allowed Mueggler to set a paddle rudder and surf the wave’s sweet spot. He
Running the Selway River: What to Leave Behind Read More »
We’re all trying to get the best bang for our buck, and when you ski or board, that means trying to get some freshies in the days after a storm. We are lucky living in the Inland Northwest with so many resorts all within a short drive. Taking last season out of the mix, each
Sledding – the ancient activity of sitting on your butt and getting over the snow far more efficiently than most wheeled vehicles. Today, unless you live in an arctic landscape, sledding or tobogganing is primarily a recreational sport enjoyed by all ages. After a fresh snowfall, who doesn’t relish pulling out their sled and running
Mountain Sledding: Finding Places to Slide on Snow Read More »
Comfort is a relative word to apply to camping. I’m perfectly comfortable spending days at a time in the backcountry, but I recently heard of a couple who planned a summer trip in their RV, powered by generator, to a campsite less than half an hour from their home. They did so in order to
Winter Camping in Comfort—Tips to Stay Warm, Dry and Have Fun Sleeping Out in the Snow Read More »
Backcountry travelers are adding another piece of avalanche safety gear to the essential three (shovel, probe, transceiver) when they play in the mountains. If everything else goes wrong and you find yourself caught in an avalanche, an airbag is designed to keep you at the surface of the snow and visible to rescuers. I’ve been
ABS Vario Airbag Backpack Read More »
